Lavrov hopes national interests will determine new Egypt authorities' approach to contacts with Russia

July 11 2013

RBTH

Interfax

Moscow is hopeful that Egypt's new authorities will be governed by the national interests of their country, including those related to long-term cooperation projects with Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Moscow is hopeful that Egypt's new authorities will be governed by the national interests of their country, including those related to long-term cooperation projects with Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

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"These are not projects of cooperation with any specific government. Rather these projects are aimed at promoting cooperation between our countries, and their implementation will benefit both the countries and their people. That is why our position is that the core national interest will serve to determine the policies of the new Egyptian authorities," Lavrov said at a press conference after talks with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

Russia is interested in stability returning both to Egypt and the rest of the region, "which is now creating the most serious risks for international relations," he said.

Egypt is a leading Arab country, and the situation in Egypt is crucial to further events in the Arab world in general, Lavrov said.

The Egyptian people ought to make their own choice regarding the country's future, including on the basis of "inclusive dialogue inside the country involving all of the political forces, sections of society, faiths and ethnic groups," the Russian minister said.

"We hope that all of the initiatives aimed at launching such national dialogue, stabilizing the situation, implementing transitional period measures and laying the groundwork for free and democratic elections will be successful," Lavrov said.